Arylon Family/Taran

Taran Arylon is the elder of the famous Arylon twins, born before his brother Fisc by only a few minutes. He is served for a great deal of time as the highest ranked priest of the Aristoi Atamarism religion in the nation of Abington. He began his life in the Cagilan Empire but as his life evolved, he later left the Empire in favor of Abington. Since his defection, his relationship with his brother Fisc Arylon have been somewhat chilly, but still civil. Taran has since left the spiritual path behind him, and has returned to the service of war.

Taran Arylon
Status:	Alive
Continent:	Atamara
Realm:	Suville
Titles Held:	High Marshal of Suville
Class:	Knight and Mentor
Honor:	28
Prestige:	10
Age:	24
Height:	6'4"
Weight:	190 lbs
Eyes:	Green
Hair:	Brown, Short

Personality

Taran is a highly educated, cerebral person - concerned with the use and application of political power. He has a sly and relentless sense of humor that has more than once caused him to be labeled a troublemaker. He values knowledge, cunning, cleverness and ingenuity above brute strength. This has caused some friction with his brother Fisc, who has always believed that true power, flows from the use of strength.

Taran also has the reputation as a lover of women. He is charismatic and witty, which has served him well in matters of love. Intellect and confidence seem to ooze from his very pores - along with a fair amount of arrogance.

He also has a rather cavalier view of life, believing that life can only truly be lived if one lives in the moment, and attempts to extract as much from each moment as possible. This has led to many excesses in his life - too much drink, too many women - but has only solidified his belief in taking advantage of all of life's advantages.

Taran believes in a universal human moral code. It is this belief in a moral authority higher than the world of men that led to his abandonment of his ancestral home, the Cagilan Empire. His loyalty was to his beliefs, and when it became apparent that his nation and those beliefs were incompatible he defected.

Recently, upon his conversion to Aristoi Atamarism, he has become more introspective, subtle and reflective. His extraverted nature is now being somewhat tempered by the seriousness of his faith. He now has also found peace, as the tenets of his new religion have satisfied his need for allegiance to a higher set of morals.

Early History

The library at Nardil Academy, where Taran received his early education.

Taran grew up in the Cagilan Empire, receiving a very aristocratic education. He learned much of philosophy, art, science, mathematics as well as theology. At the same time he observed, learned and practiced the specific uses of political power. He saw nobles use the law, the system, the military and the church to gain and use power. He noted mistakes that were being made when people obtained power, and resolved to learn from them and not repeat the same mistakes when he was old enough to wield authority.

When he was 17, Taran received word that the island nation of Toren was over-run by its enemies, and that his parents and siblings had all been killed. Infuriated by his father's insistance on fighting rather than thinking, and blaming him for the death of his entire family, Taran swore never to return to his birthplace in Toren, forsaking a purely militaristic life.

His brother, Fisc, disagreed and was filled with such rage that he returned to the island to fight for Toren, in vengeance for his family's death. The brothers parted on an icy note, though both swore that they would remain loyal to each other, being they were the only members of the Arylon family left.

Life in the Cagilan Empire

Taran was of age to make his own life at this point, and traveled to Nardil, a small region on the outskirts of the Cagilan Empire. There he met several young men his age, and he recruited them to serve him in the Cagilan Empire military. He was reluctant at first to pick up a sword, but also felt that to not learn to fight would leave him at a disadvantage politically.

He promised his men action. What he found, however, was quite the opposite. In the ensuing months, Taran was continually disappointed - not only by the lack of any real battles to fight, but at the incoherently bureaucrat nature of his country. Contradictory orders were given, often times making little sense. Halfhearted attempts at marshalling an organized, elite-fighting force was made. Goals that were short sighted and small minded were pursued, and action that could barely keep Taran's sword sharp.

Taran grew increasingly frustrated with what he referred to as "running in sand". Cagilan Empire was going nowhere, its leaders seemed to think of themselves on an ivory tower, and its nobles seemed content with mediocrity.

Defection to Abington

The Shrine of Sudfern constructed by Taran. This was his first - and greatest - construction project.

It was at that time that Taran received word from an old friend of his from childhood. Aeryn Arete, of Abington sent a courier to meet him, bringing greetings and updates of her own life. The two would send letters back and forth for a month, and each time Taran read of her exploits, he saw something he coveted - a realm that suited him. She would speak of the simple, direct, orderly and coherent nature of her nation's exploits. But more than that, she spoke of her new religion, that of Aristoi Atamarism, and the effect it had on her.

More and more he grew longing of a life he could lead elsewhere. Finally, he arrived at a decision - to move out and abandon the land of his childhood in favor of a new world that more suited the way of life he desired to lead. He informed his captain of his intentions and the troop moved out the next day.

The journey from Cagilan Empire to Abington was not an easy one. Along the way Taran lost more than 10 men, as more than one skirmish claimed the lives of his people. Clever trails, traveling in darkness and ordering his men to evade anything resembling another troop did pay off however, and he arrived in Abington in under a week. The 13 men that arrived with him had the benefit of experience, and were extremely highly trained. Taran initially expected to use them to help the people of Abington deal with their enemies.

New life in Abington

As he began to acclimate to his new land, Taran increasingly paid attention to the plight of the religious peasants in his adopted home, especially the followers of Aristoi Atamarism. He found himself increasingly wanting to help, even despite the fact he still belonged to The Order. Upon speaking further with his good friend Aeryn, he made the decision to officially convert to Aristoi Atamarism - a move that would have lasting implications for Taran.

As time wore on, and he spent more time studying his new religion, he found himself consumed by matters of the spirit, rather than of the physical world. He was fundamentally changing as a person, becoming more pensive, reclusive, quiet and thoughtful. Taran began to wonder if he was any longer suited to command a unit of soldiers. When Aeryn formally requested he become a priest and work to expand Aristoi Atamarism across Abington, Taran formally disbanded his unit and immediately enrolled in the priesthood.

His newfound purpose was well served. Once becoming a priest, Taran traveled to the northern lands of Abington to preach the good word among the commoners. After many successful preachings in the north, it became apparent that more pressing needs were in the south-western regions of Abington. It was there that he became the mastermind of the great shrine of Sudfern - a holy crystal shrine to the faith of Aristoi Atamarism, created with a reflective pool intended to enhance the beauty of the shrine. It stands as Taran's greatest contribution to Abington to date, both in the effect it has had on the faith of his religion, but also on the architectural uniqueness of the realm.

Establishment of the Aristoi Academy

Aristoi Academy, located on the coast of Suville.

After a long blackout of communications between Taran and Fisc, Taran reached out to his brother by writing him a rather conciliatary letter to Fisc, apologizing for dishonoring the family by abandoning the Cagilan Empire in favor of Abington. His letter told of his spiritual dedication to Aristoi Atamarism, and wish to reconcile with Fisc, to return to a firm connection of brotherhood. Fisc was impressed by the maturity shown by his brother, and while he could not forgive him for his betrayal, he could move past it. Fisc then sent word to Taran and suggested the two meet at his estate in Dakan and try to start over.

Once Taran arrived, the two brothers began the process of healing their relationship. During their conversation, an interesting parallell began to show itself. Fisc learned that it was Aeryn Arete, the sister of Averyll Arete that was the conduit for Fisc's religious conversion. While he did not share Taran's religious philosophy, Aeryn's involvement legitimized it in his mind and he accepted Taran's life as having worth again.

As the talks progressed further, they each spoke of their evolving understanding of their fields - military and religious. The information each of them had accumulated was extensive, and they began to talk of spreading that understanding to other nobles in both Toren and Abington - and even beyond. It was then that the brothers started the process of creating the Aristoi Academy.

After Taran left Dakan, the members of the Arylon and Arete clans began preliminary negotiations on the creation of a center of learning, with the stated purpose of identifying nobles who have the potential for greatness, and helping to elevate those nobles to places they could not have reached alone, by educating them to be truly influential.

As the basis of the knowledge that would be taught came from the collected works of the Aristoi, it was decided that a loose affiliation with the Aristoi was wise, and thus it was named the Aristoi Academy. Work began in the early spring on the central facility, which is now completed and located in Suville, near the main temple of the Aristoi.

Taran was named the primary professor of religious education, teaching nobles effective understanding of all things relating to the spiritual nature of their lives.

Leaving The Priesthood

Taran overlooking the city of Stoneville the night he picked up his sword again and renounced the priesthood

The King of Abington, Gaihu, began to slip into a deep pit of insanity. Dubbed Gaihu the Mad, he began a campaign of terror against his own people, inciting the people of Abington to rally against him. It was at this time that a great purge of religions in Abington took place, and the realm was left with only Aristoi Atamarism.

His religion no longer needed him, and the realm was crumbling. It was at that time that Taran decided his heart was calling him to once again serve his people with the blade, and not the cloth. He returned from his northern preaching campaigns to the capital of Stoneville, and once again armed himself and went out to war.

In the following weeks and months, a rebellion was called against the mad King, and Taran joined the revolutionaries. However, a major difference of opinion with the leadership of the rebellion caused friction. The rebels wished to end the monarchical rule of Abington, replacing it instead with a republican form of government. Taran did not support the move, still believing in the righteousness and nobility of the crown of Abington. The initial days of the rebellion saw a great deal of friction with Taran publicly questioning the choices of the revolutionary leaders, and their staunch defense of mob rule.

In the end, after a great deal of grief and death, the mad king was overthrown and a republic was formed. As those events played out, Taran became disillusioned regarding the future of the realm of Abington. These feelings would directly lead to his support of the emerging realms that would be born from the ashes of Abington just a few months later.

Succession from Abington

In the aftermath of the mad King and the great invasions of Abington, the duchies of the realm decided that in order to save the essence of what was Abington, they would fracture themselves into individual realms. One of these new realms was centered in the great city of Suville, where Taran had spent a great deal of time preaching and building temples. It was only natural that he would go to the city and pledge his sword to the fledgling realm of Suville. Since that time he has been in loyal service to Suville, in hopes that the greater glory of what was once Abington can be restored to Atamara.

High Marshal of Suville

Taran surveying the battlefield as the newly appointed High Marshal of Suville

Shortly after the official succession of Suville from the once great realm of Abington, the fledgeling nation was desperate for leadership. It needed highly trained, intelligent and strong nobles to fill positions across the realm - and Taran felt the call to service. Taran had the training and knowledge required to become the leader of the Suville military, but he assumed there would be others who appeared to have more experience and he did not seek the role. Initially, he looked to the position of Arch Priest - looking to impose his intellectual brand of jurist prudence on a nation that had none.

However, completely unknown to him, the Queen of Suville had identified Taran as a noble who had the energy, experience and knowledge to take care of the Suville military - and in a surprise to Taran, she publicly announced his appointment as the first High Marshal of Suville.

This is an extremely high honor to Taran, one he did not expect. He is now etched into history as the first military leader of a new realm. He is perhaps an important symbol - a young General for a young nation. In a time of great uncertainty when nobles are coming and going, when alliances are forming and dying, when maps are chaotic and rulers unpredictable, the young Captain of Suville has made it his mission to provide an example to the rest of the nobles he comes into contact with. He seeks to provide stability, solid leadership and keep Suville as cohesive as possible in a time of great uncertainty.

His initial campaigns have been highly successful, though they have largely been supplementary actions to beat back hordes of monsters and aid the realm of Caergoth in defense of their key regions. Any large scale military invasions are still on the horizon - but if they happen, Suville is in good hands with Taran at the helm.